INFLUENCE OF GELLING AGENTS AND NODES ON THE GROWTH OF POTATO MICROPLANT

The objective of this study was to identify the suitable gelling agent and size of nodal segment in order to enhance in vitro multiplication rate of different Indian potato genotypes. The results showed that MS medium solidified with agar increased the number of leaves, nodes and roots as well as root length, whereas phytagel enhanced the microplant height, internodal length, fresh and dry weight of microplants of potato. Media solidified with agar enhanced the in vitro multiplication rate in Kufri Bahar, Kufri Chandramukhi, Kufri Chipsona-1, Kufri Giriraj, Kufri Himsona, Kufri Kanchan, Kufri Lauvkar, Kufri Pukhraj and Kufri Sutlej, whereas phytagel was better for Kufri Anand and Kufri Chipsona-3. However, genotypes Kufri Badshah and Kufri Himalini performed equally in both the gelling agents. It is clear from the present findings that agar is better than phytagel for increasing the in vitro multiplication rate in majority of Indian potato cultivars. Though there was a significant difference among type of nodes, double node significantly enhanced the microplant height, number of roots and fresh as well as dry weight. But there was no significant difference on morphological character like number of nodes and internodal length which would influence the multiplication rate. Hence, single node can be used for accelerating the multiplication rate.